How We Operate - A MerDer Story

Chapter 1

Derek sighed as he stared at the line in front of him. He hated the morning line ups at Starbucks but he needed his coffee. And today was going to be a long day. He had the day off but he had so much stuff to take care of he needed something real. So he'd put up with the lines if it meant a bit of a better day ahead of him.

He had a pretty significant theory that the lines wouldn't be as long if people didn't order such complicated drinks. He wasn't even entirely sure what a half water, half milk, skinny, foam free, soy whatever the hell chai latte was. But it sounded complicated. And it took longer to say than half the brain surgeries he had to do. But this was what people did. Order complicated drinks. Make him frustrated.

He just wanted coffee. Plain old coffee full of caffeine. He had been working far too late last night cutting and then it had taken him forever to crash after the surgery high. So he just wanted a cup of caffeine to get the day started. Not that he actually wanted the day to start, he'd much rather be still fast asleep in his bed, dreaming of anything but waiting in line at Starbucks.

A long, complicated drink was called out and he prepared himself for the inevitable jostle that came when someone decided to try to grab a table and then came back for their coffee. He really needed to look into making his own coffee in the morning. This was entirely ridiculous, and it never bode well for his day when he was frustrated before eight.

He just really really wanted his coffee. And for no apparent reason he had decided to come here because for a second it had seemed faster than making the coffee at home with the top of the line coffee maker his mom had gotten him when he had started his internship. But now he was definitely regretting it. And sure enough someone was now trying to push through, causing the person behind him to bump into him hard.

"Oh god," a giggle came from behind him, "I'm really sorry."

Derek turned around to find the source of the giggle, the entirely adorable giggle. And found himself looking into the most enchanting greenish grey eyes. "It's okay, not your fault," he told her.

"This is hell," she sighed. "I don't know why I put myself through this every morning."

"I was just wondering the same thing," he nodded. "It would be a hell of a lot easier to make coffee at home."

"I have a friend who thinks they put crack in their coffee," she giggled.

"They probably do," he laughed. "Explains why I'm standing here instead of laying in bed where I should be."

"So not only are we addicted to caffeine," she smiled softly, "but now they've gotten us addicted to crack."

"Good to know," he sighed. "I'm Derek by the way."

"Meredith," she smiled, holding our her hand.

He shook her hand and smiled at the warmth it offered, trying to ignore the tiny spark that ran through him. "Please tell me you're not here to order one of those drinks that take longer to order than to actually consume."

"Just a mocha latte," she giggled. "You?"

"Just a coffee," he sighed.

"Really?" she appraised him, her eyes sweeping up and down his body. "I figured you for an espresso drinker. Maybe a cappuccino."

"Espresso comes in handy when I need a quick wake up. And cappuccino sometimes...but this early...I just want my coffee."

"And the crack in Starbucks coffee dragged you here this morning," she laughed.

"Apparently," he laughed. "Although the morning is shaping up better now."

"Definitely," she grinned. "Though I feel I have to be completely honest with you."